Grants and Funding
Below is a list of funding opportunities within the Conservation Services Division. They are listed under the correlating program title, but some are available across programs. If you have any questions contact the specific program for further information.
Colorado State Conservation Board
Noxious Weed Managment Program
Direct Assistance to Districts
These funds authorized by the State Legislature were awarded through a competitive grant process. Districts use the funds for board member mileage and expenses, secretarial and technical assistance, office expense, and district elections. Funding is based on Annual Plan of Work and tracking of progress.
Upper Colorado River Salinity Control Program
By improving the efficiency of irrigation systems in 5 Conservation Districts eligible (Bookcliff, Delta, Dolores, Mancos, Mesa, and Shavano), landowners can reduce the amount of salts entering the Colorado River. This benefits water users in the Lower Colorado River Basin States and Mexico. For more information on the Colorado River Salinity Control Program
District Conservation Technician Program (Farm Bill)
The funds enable districts to hire technicians to provide technical assistance to Colorado's landowners for conservation planning and practice implementation to protect natural resources. The Program is a partnership between the Conservation Districts (CDs), the Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB) and the Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS). Funding is provided 50% by NRCS, 25% by the CSCB and 25% by the conservation districts. Fore more information on the District Conservation Technician Program
Natural Resources Conservation Matching Grants
Provides funds for conservation districts to address on-the-ground conservation problems identified at the local level. Funds are appropriated annually through the Colorado State legislature and districts apply through the Colorado State Conservation Board (CSCB) to fund an important conservation project or program in their community. The district must provide a dollar-for-dollar match from local, private or federal cash or in-kind sources for program awards. More information on the Matching Grant Program
The Colorado Department of Agriculture announces Request for Proposals for the 2011 Noxious Weed Management Fund Grants and US Forest Service State and Private Forestry Grants
This year the Colorado Department of Agriculture (CDA) has combined the application process for the state’s Noxious Weed Management Fund grant program and the US Forest Service (USFS) State and Private Forestry grant program. While the two programs have slightly different selection criteria, CDA believes that this process should be simpler and less time-consuming for applicants. If you are seeking funding for projects in the vicinity of National Forests and/or National Grasslands, please apply to the USFS State and Private Forestry grant program. If your project does not qualify for this funding, it will be considered for funding by the Noxious Weed Management Fund Grant program.
Proposals Due by Monday, March 18, 2011 by 5:00pm
CDA is accepting proposals for grants funded by the Noxious Weed Management Fund and for grants funded by the United States Forest Service State and Private Forestry Program. All application forms must be emailed to CDA in PDF format (Word document format is acceptable if .pdf format is not possible). All signatures are required at time of submittal.
Here are the documents you will need to apply for the grants:
Full RFP announcement: this PDF provides you all the information you need to apply for the combined grant
2011 Project Proposal a Word docuement
2011 Budget Form an Xcel worksheet with formulas set up for easy computation
Colorado Noxious Weed Management Fund
Overview
In 1997, the Colorado Legislature established the Colorado Noxious Weed Management Fund to provide additional financial resources to communities, weed control districts, or other entities engaged in cooperative efforts to manage noxious weeds. Organized private interests as well as public agencies and local governments were eligible to apply for assistance provided that awarded funds were used to enhance weed management efforts within the State of Colorado. Over the five years that funding was available, the Colorado Department of Agriculture disbursed $1,255,000 for noxious weed management, education, and mapping. On average, every dollar of the State's investment was matched by more than five dollars of private, local, other state, and federal resources. Awards were made on a competitive basis and recommended by a committee of seven individuals representing the perspectives and experiences of professionals and elected officials in weed science, state weed management, Colorado government, public natural resource management, agriculture, local weed management, and the environment.
Other Funding Opportunities
There are several dedicated funds that annually solicit funding proposals related to weed management. Please check the pertinent websites for additional information.
The National Fish and Wildlife Foundation - Pulling Together Initiative
The Colorado State Soil Conservation Board
Natural Resources Conservation Services - Environmental Quality Incentives Program Funding
The Colorado Division of Wildlife (DOW) Habitat Partnership Program (HPP) offers grants for large scale habitat improvement.
